Neuropathological Features of Fatal Electrocution: A Histopathological Study for Cause-of-Death determination

Abstract

BackgroundDetermining the cause of death in electrocution is often challenging at autopsy, particularly when characteristic external electrical marks are absent. Reliable internal markers are scarce, and the neuropathological changes associated with electrocution remain underexplored.

ObjectiveTo identify and characterize histopathological alterations in the brain in cases of fatal electrocution and evaluate their diagnostic utility.

MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted on 12 autopsy cases, including 7 confirmed electrocution deaths and 5 non-electrocution deaths (control). Brain tissue samples from multiple regions were processed using H&E and Golgi-Cox staining. Histopathological parameters, including neuronal morphology, vascular changes, haemorrhage, and dendritic architecture, were evaluated.

ResultsElectrocution cases demonstrated neuronal destruction, axonal ballooning, focal hemorrhages, and dendritic disruption. Cerebellar involvement with Purkinje cell damage.

ConclusionComprehensive neurohistological technique may helpful in evaluation neuronal damage in electrocution death. Neuropathological findings, particularly neuronal and dendritic injury, may serve as supportive evidence in determining cause of death when external signs are absent.

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BibTeX RIS

BibTeX

@misc{rastogi2026neuropathological,
  title = {{Neuropathological Features of Fatal Electrocution: A Histopathological Study for Cause-of-Death determination}},
  author = {A. K. Rastogi and A. Kumar and D. D. Nangelil and s. K. Paikra and M. D. Dhokne and Y. M. Reddy and T. D. Wankhade and R. Kumar},
  howpublished = {medRxiv},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.64898/2026.09.21.26363180},
  url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.26363180v1},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}

RIS

TY  - UNPB
TI  - Neuropathological Features of Fatal Electrocution: A Histopathological Study for Cause-of-Death determination
AU  - A. K. Rastogi
AU  - A. Kumar
AU  - D. D. Nangelil
AU  - s. K. Paikra
AU  - M. D. Dhokne
AU  - Y. M. Reddy
AU  - T. D. Wankhade
AU  - R. Kumar
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/21
PB  - medRxiv
DO  - 10.64898/2026.09.21.26363180
UR  - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.21.26363180v1
AB  - BackgroundDetermining the cause of death in electrocution is often challenging at autopsy, particularly when characteristic external electrical marks are absent. Reliable internal markers are scarce, and the neuropathological changes associated with electrocution remain underexplored.  ObjectiveTo identify and characterize histopathological alterations in the brain in cases of fatal electrocution and evaluate their diagnostic utility.  MethodsA prospective observational study was conducted on 12 autopsy cases, including 7 confirmed electrocution deaths and 5 non-electrocution deaths (control). Brain tissue samples from multiple regions were processed using H&E and Golgi-Cox staining. Histopathological parameters, including neuronal morphology, vascular changes, haemorrhage, and dendritic architecture, were evaluated.  ResultsElectrocution cases demonstrated neuronal destruction, axonal ballooning, focal hemorrhages, and dendritic disruption. Cerebellar involvement with Purkinje cell damage.  ConclusionComprehensive neurohistological technique may helpful in evaluation neuronal damage in electrocution death. Neuropathological findings, particularly neuronal and dendritic injury, may serve as supportive evidence in determining cause of death when external signs are absent.
ER  -

Abstract

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